In 1958, the New Castle Playhouse (NCP) was incorporated as a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization. Since that time, we have been enriching the lives of our community through live theatrical performances, a goal that is clearly reflected in our mission statement:

The New Castle Playhouse exists to foster community pride, civic renewal, and cultural enlightenment, through quality theater arts experiences, produced by the community, for the community.

Creative Programming

Being an asset, involves far more than our facilities; it requires fine programming and relationships. We work to improve and expand both.

NCP has worked diligently to improve its creative programming, offering a variety of theater for adults and children. We strive to provide quality productions to the people of Lawrence County, and also to provide those individuals with a desire to express their creativity through theater, a venue to do that.

The quality and complexity of the productions offered to our patrons continue to increase. Those who attend our shows have come to expect a high level of craftsmanship. We draw audiences and performers from as far away as the Pittsburgh area, Erie, and from eastern Ohio. We set new attendance records yearly as more and more people discover the magic of “Live” theater at NCP.

We continue to increase and improve our creative programming for children and youth through a variety of programs. Our Youth programs include a full-scale Children’s Theater production starring children for children, and the Rising Star summer workshops, which provide educational opportunity for local children between the ages of 8 and 16. Stars of Tomorrow, a one-day event, showcases talented young people of our community, and NCP Mini-Stars serve as the young, talent ambassadors of NCP who perform throughout the community. In the near future we hope to add a workshop for young people less interested in being on stage and more interested in being backstage and learning the technical aspects of productions.

We strive to provide entertainment for the community; sometimes we are blessed by experiences that sweeten the endeavor. There are numerous stories of lasting friendships being built at NCP, and people finding a place to express their creative side. Yet a recent incident stands out from other stories.

After a recent production ended, the director received a letter from the mother of one of the cast members. The letter took him by surprise, and serves as a wonderful example of what makes NCP so special. It seems the young cast member had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis within the past several years. The mother related that her daughter had become angry at the world for all of these setbacks. She had become moody and depressed, feeling that life would pass her by as health issues interrupted nearly everything she anticipated doing. Unaware of any of these issues, she was cast in a production, attended rehearsals, took direction and ultimately performed well in her role. The director remained unaware of the seriousness of her ailments, and thought the few times that she had missed rehearsal had merely been caused by influenza that works its way around schools every winter.

The letter contained the explanation of these circumstances and the highest thanks for the director and the organization for bringing the smiles back to her daughter’s life. She said her daughter became more positive throughout her involvement, and is now more optimistic about her future.

Simply stated, sometimes we change lives, and sometime we are changed ourselves by those circumstances.

Bringing the stage to life…

Thank you for being amazing patrons. Without you we would merely be folks playing on a stage. Your presence transforms everything and we become artists. At the beginning of every show on our Main Stage the “Curtain” opens and the show begins. Well it is time to replace the show curtain on our Main Stage and we need your help.

As a non-profit arts organization in a small town we work diligently to keep ticket prices reasonable and maintain the quality of the shows we produce. Costs for royalties, costumes, props, and materials to create sets continue to rise. This makes replacing the curtain a challenge.

You can support live theater in our community with a gift. Click HERE or on the curtain above to make a donation or call the NCP office for more information (724-654-3437).

THANK YOU for your continuing patronage!!

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Address & Email

202 East Long Avenue
New Castle, PA 16101
office@newcastleplayhouse.org